Big and bright, Illini’s Cockburn eyes deep NCAA tourney run

Published March 17, 2022 5:25 PM

By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kofi Cockburn returned to Illinois for NCAA Tournament redemption. The first-team All-American center flirted with going to the NBA after the Fighting Illini got knocked out in the second round a year ago. But the 7-foot center returned for his junior year with his eyes on winning a title. Arguably the most dominant player in this year’s tourney, Cockburn and his teammates will face Chattanooga in the first round of the South Region on Friday. The Fighting Illini are a more relaxed team than they were a year ago, when COVID-19 protocols muted their fun.

Article Topic Follows: AP-National-Sports

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